Chapter 14

Since Tang Lu successfully "established herself" in the Hall of Government Affairs, she seems to have included it as part of her territory.

Every time Akari goes to handle government affairs, she would follow along eagerly, and then skillfully "plant" herself in the same old spot, accompanying (asleep) Akari while she works.

Chi Li had grown accustomed to having such a quiet companion by her side.

On one occasion, Tang Lu was too tired from playing the day before and didn't go with them. When Chi Li was reviewing the jade slips, she always felt empty around her, and her efficiency dropped considerably.

However, this tranquility was shattered one day.

On this day, Chi Li was listening to a report from a demon envoy from Nanze.

The envoy's prototype was an elegant white crane, and after transforming, he was a handsome young man with a tall and aloof demeanor, named Yunyi.

Yunyi's report was not only well-organized, but more importantly, he had considerable experience in managing the water system of Nanze and put forward several suggestions that even Chili found insightful.

A love for talent (it really was just a love for talent!) prompted Akari to ask a few more questions, her tone tinged with appreciation.

Seeing that his insights were valued by the Demon King, Yunyi naturally worked even harder and explained things in more detail.

The two discussed the distribution map of the Nanze water veins for nearly half an hour.

This was originally a perfectly normal and efficient dialogue between the emperor and his ministers.

But in the eyes of a little tree spirit "rooted" next to the throne, it was a completely different story.

At first, Tang Lu obediently played with her vines by herself, occasionally looking up at her Li Li.

But when she discovered that the bird demon in white was not only beautiful and had a lovely voice, but had also talked to her Lili for so long and smiled so beautifully (Yunyi only smiled politely), the little bit of jealousy in her heart started to bubble up again.

She didn't like it! She didn't like Lili smiling at others for so long! She didn't like Lili's attention being drawn away by others!

So, just as Yunyi was getting to the crucial point, pointing to a certain point on the water vein map...

"call out!"

A slender golden vine, with lightning speed, reached out from beside the throne and precisely... snatched away the spirit pen that Yunyi was about to use to mark something.

Yunyi: "...?"

His fingers were still frozen in mid-air, staring at his empty fingertips and the pen that was wrapped in a golden vine and swaying back to the throne, his handsome face full of astonishment.

Chi Li was also stunned for a moment, her gaze following the vines.

Tang Lu kept her head down, pretending to play with her fingers, as if the pen that "flew away" had nothing to do with her.

But her slightly reddened little ears and the furtive glances she gave away completely.

Chi Li understood instantly.

This little jealous person has gotten jealous again.

She felt a little amused, and also... a secret thrill that was hard to explain.

"Ahem," Chi Li coughed lightly, concealing the smile that was about to spill from the corner of her mouth, and said to the bewildered Yun Yi, "It's alright, you can continue."

Although Yunyi didn't understand, he still respectfully agreed and tried to continue reporting.

However, without a pen, he could not mark on the drawings.

He hesitated for a moment, looked at the "sapling" beside the throne, and tried to speak in a gentle tone: "Young friend, could you please return the pen to me?"

Tang Lu raised her head, glanced at him, and then... hid the pen in her bosom, turned her head to the side, and faced him with the back of her head.

The meaning is clear: No!

Yunyi: "..."

What did he do to deserve this?

Seeing this scene, Chi Li finally couldn't help but chuckle softly.

Her smile instantly eased the tense atmosphere in the entire government affairs hall.

Yunyi was stunned for a moment, then quickly lowered his head, not daring to look directly at him.

"Tang Lu," Chi Li's voice was filled with obvious indulgence and laughter, "return the pen to its owner."

Upon hearing Lili speak, Tang Lu reluctantly turned around, slowly extending her vines to hand the pen back.

Just as Yunyi reached out to take it, she deliberately loosened her grip, causing the pen to fall to the ground with a "thud".

Yunyi: "..."

He silently bent down to pick up the pen, feeling utterly exhausted.

The subsequent report took place in this eerie atmosphere.

Whenever Yunyi tries to get closer to the blueprints, or talks for a little longer, Tanglu always makes some small moves.

He would either secretly use vines to snatch away a corner of the blueprint, or deliberately make some rustling noises, or glare at Yunyi with that "super fierce" (self-righteous) look.

This put Yunyi under immense pressure, causing him to stumble and stumble during his report, with beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.

Chi Li took in all of this, and instead of stopping it, she was quite pleased.

She even found it more interesting to watch the little tree spirit get jealous and throw a tantrum because of her than to hear about water system management.

After finally waiting for Yunyi to finish his report, he practically fled in panic.

Only Chi Li and Tang Lu, who was still sulking with her cheeks puffed out, remained in the government affairs hall.

Chi Li stepped down from the throne, came to Tang Lu, squatted down to look her in the eye, and deliberately asked, "What's wrong? Who has upset Tang Lu again?"

Tang Lu pouted, snuggled into her arms with a wronged expression, buried her head in her neck, and complained in a muffled voice, "I don't like him! He talked to Li Li for so long! Li Li only looked at him and not at Tang Lu!"

Chi Li held the jar of aged vinegar in her arms, her heart filled with joy, but she pretended to be puzzled: "Oh? But he was talking to me about serious business."

"Even serious matters are out of the question!" Tang Lu raised her head, her eyes slightly red, as if she had suffered a great injustice. "Lili belongs to Tang Lu! I can only talk to Tang Lu a lot!"

Seeing her domineering yet childish declaration, Chi Li's heart softened completely.

She lowered her head, her forehead gently touching Tang Lu's, her voice so gentle it could melt water: "Alright, from now on, I will only talk to Tang Lu a lot."

"Really?" Tang Lu's eyes lit up.

“Really.” Chi Li solemnly promised, then added, “However, you can’t cause trouble like you did just now. Those are my subjects, working for the demon realm.”

Tang Lu nodded as if she understood, but still emphasized, "Then... then Li Li can't smile so beautifully at him!"

Chi Li chuckled: "Okay, I won't smile at him."

I only smile at you.

She silently added in her mind.

Having received Li Li's assurance, Tang Lu stopped crying and started laughing again, clinging to Chi Li like a piece of chewing gum, as if the cool little tree spirit from before wasn't her at all.

Chi Li held the sweet-smelling little tree spirit in her arms and thought that this occasional "jealousy" was actually quite delicious.

At least, it made her clearly feel that she was needed and possessed so passionately and purely.

Today, His Majesty the Demon King is once again indulging in being a "tyrant".

Furthermore, they became so addicted that they couldn't extricate themselves.